Door closer and check



May 1s ,1926. f

2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed June 22, 1925 W nl mr lfd/07 T iwf/ig may l.. X Z

JWM

May '18 1926.

, 1,584,981 A. ,.1. DE HON DOOR CLOSER AND CHECK Filed Jun 22, 1925' 2 sheets-sheet 2 me/tl Arron/vn Patented May i8, 1.9236.

UNITED STATES ALBERT JAMES DE HON, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY.

Doon CLOSER AND cHncx.

Application leid June 22,1925. Serial No. 38,635.

My invention relates to door closers and checks and more particularly, to door closers "and checks for restraining thesudden closl' ing of doors such as elevator doors or doors for any other use, so that thc door movement will take place in stages of reducing speed,

the last stage being of al slow speed, which will effect the very gradual andsubst-antially silent closing of the door.

Still -more particularly, my invention relates to spring actuated door closers and checks of this type, provided withk a chamber containing oil or any suitable liquid, whichv at .a predetermined time will restrain the movement of a plunger element within the check and thereby effect a. regulated slowing of the movement ofthe plunger, a controlled speed of operation and a gradual silent closing of the door to which it is attached.

In door closers and checks of this type, it has heretofore been Vthe practice to provide anoil chamber in the containing body portion and to drill a somewhat lengthy orificel therein to provide a course through which the resisting oil or other ilnid `mightflow, when the piston head of the check in lits movement in the chamber, contacts with the oil, and thereby provide apath of travel for the displaced oil as it is forced out of the oil chamber by the piston head. It has been found that this drilling operation has resulted in unnecessary expense and cost in the manufacture of the device. Thls was 'A caused by the frequent breaking of the drills l.-` andthe frequent lodging of the broken portions of the drill in the drilled section of.

and checkvand by its peculiar construction l have obviated the necessity of this drillingoperation and avoided the-previous consequent loss.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a device of this type, which shall be of cheap manufacturing cost, which shall be or positive and sure operation, which shall be spring-actuated and pressure-restrained,

- which shall be capable of a highly accurate degree of adjustment in its adjustablepart's, which shall be of few parts and ofsimple construction and which shall have other ings, described in the specification and more specifically defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional View of my invention, showing the position of its parts when a door connected thereto is co1npletely closed. n

Fig. 2, is a longitudinal sectional view of my invention, with a part of the piston tube broken away, showing the position of the moving parts when the door co-operating therewith is completely opened.

Fig. 3, is a longitudinal sectional view of my invention with a portion of the piston tube broken away, showing the position of its parts when a door cooperating therewith is partly closed, name-ly, the positionv in which the last stage of closing movement of the door is beginning to take place.

` Fig. 4, is a view in elevation of a 3 section door showing a link device for opening and closing the doors, illustrating the doors as completely closed and my door closer and check operatively attached thereto.

Fig. 5, is a top plan view of the door operating link system in the position illustrated in Fig. 4, showing the door-frames in cross section.

Fig. 6, is an elevational view of a 3-section door such as is illustrated in Fig. 4, when the doors have been completely opened and illustrates the corresponding position of the operating link sections and the extended position of the piston tube of my check connected thereto.

Fig. 7, is a partial elevation of the doors' and operating links and illustrates the positionof the doors at the beginning of their last stage of closing, the relative positions of the operating'link sections and the partially withdrawn position of the piston tube for that partially closed door position.

Fig. 8, is a cross sectional view through the piston head of my invention, witha portion of the piston-tube and a needle valve therein, the tube and needle-valve being broken away and showing the needle-valve in a completely closed position.

Fig., 9, is a sectional View similar to Fig. 8, but showing the needle-valve completely withdrawn from its seat to permit a free ow of resisting material through the pistonhcad unobstructed.

Fig. 10, is a cross sectional view on line X-X of Fig. 1, showing the channeled interior formation of the oil-chaniber and the guides locating the piston-head in its travel therein.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts,-1 is a substantially cylindrical chamber open at either end and threaded on its outer portion at a section 2 near its lower end. Threaded to the chamber 1 at'this lower threaded portion 2 is an exteriorly angularly formed substantially cylindrical chamber 3, which is provided near its lower end with an exteriorly threaded portion 4, to which a closing head or end member 5 is secured to form an end closure for said chamber 3. This head 5 is provided with an extension 6 whichv through an opening 7 therein, may be operatively attached to any suitable support,rby bolts or other fastening means.

The cylindrical chamber 1 is threaded at its upper end, which is closed by a cap member 8, so that said cylindrical chamber is thereby closed at both ends. The cap member 8 is provided with a central opening 9, arranged to operatively receive a tubular piston or reciprocating member 10, which extends downwardly into the cylindrical chamber 1 and its attached oil-chamber 3, approximately to the face of the closin cap 5, and upwardly out of the cham er 1 through the opening 9 any desired operative distance. This tubular piston member 10 is arranged to have a predetermined degree of reciprocating movement within the chambers 1 and 3 and carries on its lower end a piston head 11. The head 11 is pinned to the tubular piston member 10 by means of a pin 12, which engages the tube 10 and the head 11 so that the head 11 has a slight swinging play in its travel forwardly and backwardly in the chambers 1 and 3. The head 11 has a substantially central opening 13 extending longitudinally through its body portion and thereby rovides means by which oil or other resisting material may pass through said piston-head during its travel, when a door or doors t0 which the door closer and check is attached are in the latter stages of closure. The piston-head l1 is also provided with a top tapered or countersunk section 14 leading to the opening 13 and with a substantially cylindrical portion adapted to receive and hold therein the lower end of the tubular piston element 10.

Likewise attached to the tubular piston element 10 substantially midway the length thereof, is a member 15, which at its upper end has an opening 16, throu h which the piston element 10 extends. This attachment is effected by a pin 17, which'liolds ,the inember 15 in fixed relation to the piston element 10 so that said member 15 moves with the movement of the piston element,10. The member l5 is substantially of thimble-like formation and at its lower end is provided with a flange portion 18 of such diameter that said flange portion 18 will permit a. slight space between its periphery and the inner face ot' the chamber 1 in which it is encased and moves. Seated upon the flange 18 is a compression-spring 19, which in its normal uncompressed condition extends the. length of said chamber 1 and which with its upper end, abuts the inner face of the cap 8.

This spring 19 is operably adapted to resist the upward movement of the piston tube 10 and to be compressed thereby when the piston moves upwardly and when the force compressing the spring 19 is relaxed said spring 19 will expand to its normal position for the length of the cylinder 1 and force the piston tube 10 and the parts carried thereon inwardly within the chamber 1 and the chamber 3.

When the spring'carrying member 15 is in its lowermost position it is seated with its flange portion 18 upon the inner face of an enlarged portion 20 of the oil chamber 3. This enlar ed portion 20 is formed by the annular en of theoil chamber 3 which attaches this oil chamber 3 to the lower portion of the cylinder 1 and by an inner upwardly extending portion 21, which surrounds the tubular piston member 10 for the height approximately that of the inner portion of the element 15. It will be seen, therefore, that the oil containing sectiony of the oil chamber 3 is formed by the upper section of said chamber 3, which comprises the portion 21, by an enlarged intermediate portion directly there below and by a contracted portion below said intermediate portion, which forms the lower end of said chamber. The chamber 3 above described is provided with a longitudinally disposed substantially central opening, which on its inner face, carries diametrically disposed, radially, inwardly extending guide pieces or channel members 22, separated by oil carrying spaces 23. These guide pieces 22 and separating spaces 23 extend longitudinally substantially the entire length of the enlarged portion of the oil chamber 3 to the point where said chamber decreases in diameter below the intermediate portion. The guide pieces 22 afford bearings and guiding means for the piston head 1l in its upward and downward move ment when the door closer and check is operated. These guide pieces 22 are so shaped on their inner opposite faces, that the tit snugly against the longitudinal face o the piston head 11, so that the same may have free sliding movement there-between.

Encased within the tubular piston element 10 is a needle valve element, which comprises a needle valve point or head 24 at the lowerI end of the piston tub'e and the needle valve element, arranged to be seated in the valve seat or opening 13 in the piston head. The needle valve head 24 is attached to a tubular element 25 extending part way the length ot the piston tube by screw threads or other suitable fastening means so that it is substantially a unitary part of the tubular element and is adapted to move therewith. At the upper end ot the tubular element 25, which is normally at approximately the height of the springcarrying element 15, whenthe spring 19 is r fully distended, is a plug or other suitable closing piece 26, attached thereto by a pin 27 or other suitable fastening means. The plug 26 closes the upper end of the tubular portion ot the needle valve element 25 and is. provided with a substantially' central recessed portion 28, into which a rod 29, extending upwardl)y for the remaining length of the tubular piston element 10, is seated and held. by gravity. The rod 29, the plug 28, the tubular needle valve element 25 and the needle valve head 24 thereby constitute 'an element operating substantially as a unit, regulating the degree of openness of the central valve opening 13 in the piston head 11. Mounted Aaround the lower portion of the tubular element 25, seated upon the piston head retaining pin 12 and apin 30 transversely fixed in the element 25, at a suitable distance from its lower end, is a coil spring 31. The spring 31 is normally retained between the pins 12 and 30 under compress-ion and acts to hold the needle valve and needle valve head 24 up, 'free from the central valve opening 13 inthe piston head. Since this spring 31 is under compression and the valve structure includes the elements 25 and the rod 29, it will be seen that it is necessary' to provide a stop for the upper end of the rod 29 to limit the upward movement of the rod 29 and hold the valve in operative relation. To provide this stop` I mount an adjustable screw 32 in a head piece 33 at the upper end of the tubular piston element 10. The head piece 33 is threaded into the tubular element 10 and closes the end ot said tubular element.V The headpiece 33 is provided with a substantially central longitudinal opening 34, engaging the upper end of the rod 29 and this opening is threaded interior-ly for the reception ofthe threaded screw 32. It will be seen that the screw 32 is adjustable in the opening 34 and its lower end abuts against the upper end of the rod 29. preventing said rod from displacemeutby the action of the compression spring 31 and thereby effects a .relation between the parts ot' the needle l valve and the adjustable screw 32, which permits a substantially unlimited degree of adjustment of these parts relatively to the valve-seat and opening 13 in the piston head.

It will be apparent, that by adjusting the screw 32 in one direction I may effect a 'closing of the needle valve to the opening 125 in the piston head, and that by turning thel screw 32 lin the opposite direction, I may eii'eat an upward adjustment of the needle valve from the orilice 13 to any substantial extent. By this means, I am enabled to regulate the degree of opening of the orifice 13 at its inner end and regulate the flow ot resisting substance through the opening 13 as the piston head descends in its travel and I am thereby enabled to regulate the amount et pressure against the piston head at this time and consequently7 the speed ot movementr of the piston when traveling through the oil or air. It will be obvious, therefore, that I have provided means whereby an eX-4 tremely delicate and 'positive'adjustment and control ot the needle valve may be accomplished and a consequent delicate regulation ot the movement of the piston in its travel upwardly and downwardly during the operation ot' opening and closing a door to which it is connected.

In the pist-on tube 10, I have provided a lateral opening 35, that is at all times outside of the. chambers enclosing the moving parts of my dooreloser and check. This opening 35 is threaded and is closed by a.

stud-screw 36. lVhen it is desired to charge the oil carryingv chamber with oil, or to withdraw oil from the valve, I remove the screw 36 from the opening 35 and may then introduce oil into the piston tube. The oil will flow to the lower end ot the tube and find an exit through openings 37 and 38 near the bottom of said tube. These openings Y37 and 38 permit the oil to How fro-m the tube 10 into the oilV chamber 3, where it will accumulate in the. bottom portion of the chamber and flow into the channels 23 in the enlarged portion of the chamber 3 between the guide bars 22. Oil is supplied until the chamber 3 is filled to a height approximately level with the lower end of the chamber 1. Above the level of the oil in the chamber 3, the chamber 1 contains air initier atmospheric pressure and the working parts of the door closer and check device heretofore enumerated.

The upwardly extending portion 21 of the chamber 3 is provided with a recessed end which is interior-ly threaded at 40 and oitset to iorm a shelf or ledge 41, upon which may be seated a detachable metallic washer or flange element 42, encircling the reciprocat- CJI tral opening 44, to permit said ring to be loosely mounted around the reciprocating tubular piston element 10, so that said element will slidably move freely therein. Below the ring 43, I provide packing 45 of disc like formation with a central opening substantially similar in shape to that of the washer 41. The washer or packing 45 is seated upon the washer 41 and may be of leather, rubber, asbestos, or any other suitabel acking material and is of suchsize and constituency that when the ring 43 is pressed down upon the said washer 45, it will cause said washer to be squeezed laterally and make a substantially tight joint between the reciprocating tubular element 10 and the edges of the washer opening. The washer 45 will prevent the leakage of oil beyond this joint and will retain the element 10 in proper working relation as it reciprocates within the chambers 1 and 3. lVhile the reciprocating movement of the pistou element 10 is taking place, it is retained in its proper position in the cylinder 1 by the central opening 9 in the top of the cap 8, which opening ailords a bearing for the piston element 1i). so that free movement of the piston 10 and the head 11, attached thereto will occur without undesirable binding on the surfaces contacting therewith.

The headpiece 33, which is attached to the outer end of the piston element 10, and carries the adjusting screw 32, is provided with an arcuate shaped extension 46, which terminates substantially in line with the axis of the tubular piston element 10. This extension 4.6, is provided near its free end with an opening 47, by which it may be attached to a door by bolts or any suitable fastening element, so that the restraining action of the door closer and check will be exerted'upon the door during the door-closing operation, and so that the piston element 10 may be withdrawn to pressure-exerting and door-closing position, during the door-opening operation. The arcuate shape of the head piece or cap member 33, gives ready access to the adjusting screw 32, by which arrangement the adjustment of the needle valve may be made at any time or condition of extension of the piston element 10.

It will be seen from an examination of Fig. 1 of the drawings that the position of the piston element 10. the parts associated therewith, including the needle valve and the spring 19 within the chambers 1 and 3, are in correspondence to the position of the doors illustrated in F ig. 4 and the consequent position of the links 53, 54, and attached thereto` which is the closed position of the doors 50, 51 and 52, andthe fully extended position of the links. It will be observed that the spring 19 and the piston element 10, and piston head 1l thereon are in their fully depressed position as shown in Fig. 1 for the position of the doors shown in Fig. 4. It will likewise be noticed that the position of the piston element 10, the piston head 11, attached thereto and the spring Within the chamber 1, are shown in Fig. 2 in an elevated position, with the spring 19 compressed. It is to be understood that this latter position of the moving elements of the door closer and check is that assumed thereby when the doors are fully opened, as shown in Fig. 6 with the links 53, 54 and 55 in an angular or folded relation in refercnce to each other, and it will be noted that the position of the piston element 10 for this open position of the doors, is illustrated in Fig. 6 to indicate that the piston element 10 is Withdrawn substantially the entire 'length of the chamber 3.

lt will be observed further that the moving -parts of the door closer and check are illustrated in Fig. 3 to correspond to the position ot' the doors 50, 51 and 52 and the links 53, 54 and 55, as illustrated in Fig. 7 for that position of the doors just preceding their final closing. Fig. 3 shows the spring 19 partially extended from its compressed position of Fig. 2 and illustrates the piston element 10 as having moved downwardly through the chamber l3 V'and partially through the chamber 1 and the piston head as having contacted with the oil in the chamber 3 and as receiving the resisting back ressure of the oil tending to retard and s ow down the closin operation of the doors in the last stages of t eir movement.

It is to be noticed further that in all three ofthe Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Ihave shown the needle valve head 24 in the same position of adjustment relatively to the opening 13 in the piston head 11. In Figs. 8 and 9, however. different positions of adjustment ofthe needle valve are shown. That shown in Fig. 8 is to illustrate a osition of the needle valve head 24, when tlie openlng 13 is entirely closed thereby. This position of the needle valve maybe effectedb a turning of the adjusting screw 32 until t e head of the needle valve is fully seated in the tapered portion of the. opening 13 in the iston head l1. lVhen this condition of a justment is produced, the piston head is in effect a. substantially solid structure and, when it then contacts with the oil in the chamber 3. in a door-closing operation, the resistance of the oil aGainst the piston head will effect a suhstantlal stoppage of the movement of the piston element 10 and will thereby effect a locking in the closing of the door and prevent the further movement thereof. It will be seen that if my door closer and check is so adjusted, it may be utilized to hold doors open for any period of time, until the needle valve is retracted from the valve-seat in the piston-head and the passage of oil through the opening 13 is thereby permitted,

In Fig. 9, an

valve is shown,

`as retracted from the opening 13, a greater degree than that illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and which permits a substantially free passage of the oil through the opening 13, and free movement of the piston and piston head during a door lopening and closing operation. As the result of this adjustnient, ot' Jhe "needle valve, substantially all resistance to the passage of oil through the opening 13 is removed and thepiston element 10 and the piston head 1l will move with the least degree of restraint. It will be clear from the different illustrations of the drawings that the position ot the needle valve, may be adjusted to the opening 13 in7 any degree of closure or opening desired by the screw 32. The variation of the needle valve position relative to the opening 13 is the means by which the speed of travel of the piston element 10 and piston head in the chambers and the consequent closing and opening of the doors is controlled and regulated. j

It is apparent that my door closer and check, being formed of'sectional chambers, one containing the spring and the spring carrying member, and the other containing the oil and the piston head that I am able io make repairs thereto conveniently and that I can readily install duplicate parts when needed and can conveniently position and attach the same because of the peculiar construction of my apparatus. Convenient access may be the detachment of the cap 5, or to the spring containing chamber 1, by the removal of the top cap` 8. Also, the chamber 1 and the chamber 43 may be readily detached from cach other, at the threaded joint at the lower end of the chamber l Where they are united. Bv this arrangement, convenient access may be had for cleaning or repair o the piston head, or ot the needle valve elements and b v the removal of the cap 8, convenient access may be had to the spring 19 and its carrying element for their repair or removal. j

It has been stated the chamber is partially filled with oil or other suitable resistant substance. preferably liquid or fluid to any suitable height, which I have illustrated in the drawings to be about the line X-X on Fig. l. lt will be understood that it is not'necessary that this resistant substance shall be oil,

for I may. it desired, substitute therefor glycerine or water or air under atmospheric or any vother pressure. It is well known practice that in some forms of door closers` and checks glvcerine is used instead of oil, but I prefer the use of oil since it is readily obtainable and is a satisfactory lubricant for the moving parts of the apparatus.

IVhen oil is used as a resistant for springs had to the oil chamber 3 by of ordinary strength, where rapidity of checking is desired to vtake place gradually, 1t is 'found that cylinder oil is satisfactory, or that any machine oil of moderate weight operates etiiciently in connection withv my device. Most of the metallic parts of my device may be made of iron or steel, but it is obvious that any suitable metal or material having the proper tensile strength and characteristics may be used. In the event that water is used as a' resistant substance it is, of course, intended that the metallic parts coming in contact with the Water shall be of such material as would not rust or corrode and so deteriorate.

In Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 illustrating my check operatively related to a triple arrangement of elevator doors and links connecting and operating them, it will be noted that the doors indicated by numerals and 51 are movable, While the seotion indicated by the numeral 52 is stationary. These figures illustrate the doors. as arranged in a suitable framework coinposed of the side sills 56 and 57 and a base 58 joining them, it being understood thatported by means not shown) overhead or at their base so that tree movement thereby is readily attained. The link 53 is attached to the door 50 near its forward edge, at any suitable height, by means of a bracket 59 and is pivoted on that bracket by suitable pivot means 60. rIhis link k53 is pivoted at 61 to one end of the link 54, which link 54 is pivoted substantially midway its length by means 62, to a bracket 63 that is attached to the rear edge of the door 51, and which bracket 63 is of such length, outstanding from the door that the link 54 is held sufliciently far from the door 51 to permit the' door 50 to slide back until its forward edge is in alignment with the door 51 and its rear edge is in abutment with the bracket 63 and so that inthe door opening and closing operations these links will remain free to turn upon their pivots. The link is pivoted at its forward end at 64 to the rear end of the link 54., The link 55 near its pivoted cud is provided with an angular bend or offsei; portion 65, and with a substantially straight portion extending from the otset portion 65 to the side sill 57 of the door frame. The link is pivoted at 66 at approximately its end to a bracket 67, which is fixedly mounted on the side sill 57 of the door frame. It will be seen, therefore, that the links 54 and are arranged in connection with the doors 50 and 51 and the l doors are opened or closed, and are free to be folded in a substantially vertical plane in reference to each other when the doors are fully or partially opened.

Attached to the side door sill 57 is a plate member 68 carrying an angularly disposed tongue 69, fixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom suliiciently far to lie in substantially the same vertical plane as that occupied by the link 55 and which plate 68 is located a suitable distance below the bracket 67, and is provided on its tongue 69 with an opening 79, The opening 7 0 provides a means by which a bolt or other suitable fastening element may attach thereto the lower end 6 of my door closer and check through the opening 7V therein. The check is so mounted on this tongue as to be free to slightly turn around its pivot when operatin Substantially midway the length 'of the lir 55 and as a part thereof there is provided a downwardly extending arm 71 having an opening I2-near its lower end to receive a bolt or other suitable fastening means to connect the arm 71 at that point to the reciprocating piston tube 10 of my door closer and check, by means of the arcuate member 33 at the end of said piston tube 10.

The connection. between the arm 71 and the arcuate end 33 of my door closer and check apparatus is made through an opening 47 provided near the outer end of the arcuate member. This connection is such that the end of the arcuate member 33 and the arm 71 are permitted a partial rotation relative to each other, so that the link 55 may be rotatably moved and receive and transmit the proper action of the piston element 10 during the opening and closing of the doors. It will be seen that since thelink 55 is angularly set off at from the link 54 where the door closer and check is attached, as illustrated in Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, and as described hereinabove, the links 53 and 54 are free to close or be folded back- Wardly into their angularly related position when the doors are opened, and to be returned to their former position when the doors are closed or being closed, without interference from the link 55 or the check device attached thereto.

Presuming the door closer and check apparatus to be attached to the triple arrangement of doors and link system, as illustrated in Fig. 4, and presuming the doors'to be closed, as illustrated in that gure, the position'of the door closer and check will be substantially that shown in Fig. 4, and the position of the moving parts of the door closer and check will be substantially that in Fig. 1. It will be noted, therefore, that the links or bars 53, 54 and 55 are in substantially a straight line in reference to each other, and that the piston tube 10 is substantially entirely drawn into the chambers, ex-

cept a short portion extending outwardly and carrying the arcuate member 33. It will be noted that the piston head 11 is seated in the base of the chamber 3, that the spring carrying element 15 is seated in the base of the chamber 1, with its flange ortion 18 resting upon and stopped by the ange portion 20 of the chamber element 3 which is attached to the end of the chamber 1. It will be seen that the spring 19 is now fully distended, with its upper end pressing against the inner face of the cap closing the upper end of the chamber 1, and its lower end seated against the flange 18 of the spring carrying element l5.

When it is desired to open the doors 50 and 51, the operator grips the handle 75, shown inFig. 4 and attached to the link 54, and presses the handle 75 downwardly. As the handle 75 is pressed downwardly,it will cause the links 53 and 54 to turn about the pivot 61 and their adjacent ends to move in a downward direction, thereby turning the link 54 upon the pivot 62, so that the connected ends of the links 54 and 55 pivot on 64 and move upwardly. As the link moves upward it vturns on its other pivot 66 and the arm 71, connected to the arcuate member 33, attached to the piston tube 19, will likewise move upwardly and withdraw the piston tube 10 upwardly as the downward travel of the handle 75 continues, and as this movement ot' the link 55 continues and the doors consequently continue to open. These movements of the links and piston tube 10 will continue until the doors are open the distance desired by the operator and the handle 75 is released from his control. It isapparent, therefore, that as this upward movement of the link a5 tontinues the piston element 10, and the parts carried thereby, including the piston head 11, the needle valve device, the spring carrying element 15, and the spring 19 carried thereby. will move upwardly in the door closer and check chambers of the device.

If the doors are partly open, the position ofthe movable elements within the door closer and check chambers will be substantially that illustrated in Fig. 3, with the piston lifted from the end of the chamber 3, and the spring partly compressed. If the opening of the doors continue until they are fully opened, the position of the movable elements of my door closer and check will be substantially that shown in Fig. 2, with the spring 19 fully compressed and with the piston lifted to approximately the height of the lower end of the chamber 1 and above the level of the resistant fluid body. For this position of the doors, Fig. 6 will illustrate the relative positions of the links 53 and 5-1 and 55, and the extended position of the piston element withdrawn from the chamber of the device.

` spring 19 will then press against the iiange das 18 of the spring carrying element 15, which being pinned to the iston tube 10, will be forced downwardly y the spring into the chamber 1, and carry the piston tube 10 downwardly with it. The piston tube 410 will likewise carry the parts attached thereto', including the piston head 11 downwardlyr at the same time. For the first stage of' downward movement; the piston head will travel through they air gap between its lower face and the` level of the oil body. During this stage the downward movement of the piston will be relativelyfast;

As this downward movement takes place the link 55 is drawn downwardly, the end of` the .link 54 pivoted' thereto is drawn downwardly, the 'link .54 is turned upon the pivot 62 and the'end of this link, which is pivoted to the link 53, is drawn upwardly, and under the forceY exerted by the spring 19 during this 1eriod the first or more rapid stage of the oor closingoperation takes place. As the pressure of the s ring 19 continues to be exerted, while it furt er expands, the piston and parts carried thereon continuev to move downwardly until the piston head 11 contacts with the surface of the oil or resisting substance in the lower cylinder 3. An immediate slowing down `of the move- 'ent of the doors and of the piston then occurs. s

But under the pressure ofthe spring 19 the piston head continues` to move slowly through the oil in chamber 3. The oil passes up through the opening 13 in the piston head 11, passes beyond the needle valve head 24 into the lower end .of thev hollow piston tube 1.0, and finds an exit therefrom through the lateral openings 37 and 38 therein, into the oil chamber 3. This flow of oil continues through the piston head to the oil chamber l in a speed and quantity regulated Aby the ad- Fig. 4. by

the needle valve head 24 in reening 13, until the piston head the oil and the oil is forced head into the unoccupied justmentof spect tothe o has displace above the piston portions of the oil chamber 3..

lVhile this .stage of the o eration is taking place the links are slowly eing forced into their first, normal position illustrated in the pressure of the spring-19 cxerted through the piston tube 10 and the doors are being slowly forced into their normal position as illustrated in F1 4. The position illustrated in Fig. 7 is su stantially the positionof the links at the beginnino- .of this last stage of the closing operation, wlhile that illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 indicates the position of the links and of the doors when shown in Fig. 1, with the piston head seated at the lower end of the chamber 3, against the inner face of the cap 5, and the spring 19 in its normal distended position. i quent opening and closing of the door necessitates merely a repetition of the operations above described.

If the doors close too rapidly, either dur ing the passage of the piston head through the air chamber or through the oil resister, a slowing of this movement can'be effected by more closely adjusting the needle valve head 24 to the opening 13 in the piston head 11, until the required speed of movement is attained.k This is accomplished by turning the adjusting screw 32 heretofore described. If the movement of the doors and of the piston is slower than desired duringthe passage of the piston head through either the air chamber or the oil resisters, a faster movement may be effected by the retraction of the needle valve head from the opening 13 in the piston head 11, by turning the adjusting screw 32 in the opposite direction, as heretofore described.

It will-be apparent that I have provided an effective safety device and door checking mechanism which is adjustable to operate with graduated speeds in a single door closing movement, so that the first stage of movement will be relatively fast, while the.

last stage will be relatively slow. and .thatI have accomplished this result by means'tli'at are positive and delicate in' operation, that are capable of 'a high de ree of adjustability, that are constructed so tlziat the parts thereof may be. standardized and interchangeable` that can be made at a chea manufacturing cost, that is ofcomparative y few parts, that can be readily assembled and disassembled, -that rovides convenient access for repairing, c eaning, or adjustment, that is durable in construction, and that is capable of being co-operativ'ely attached to doors and'closures of anytype, and that may have other advantages and results not here particularly set out. Having described my invention vin detail s and illustrated it in the accompanying drawings, I do not wish to belimited to the particular form and embodiment shown, nor by the terms of description-defining it, excepty as the state of the art and the appended claims may require, for it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the combination and arrangement of partsof my invention,.without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What I claim as new is: y l. In a door closerv and check, the combination `of a chambered substantiallyV cylin- Subse- LLI drical body portion having a reciprocating, spring actuated and pressure restrained tubular member adapted to move longitudinally forwardly and backwardly in said ehambered body portion and be automatically controlled to variable stages of movement therein against fluids of differing degrees o't' density by an adjustable spring supported pressure regulated valve member encased within said tubular member.

2. In a door closer and check, the combination of' a chambered, substantially cylindrical body portion having a reciprocating spring actuated and pressure restrained -tubular member adapted to move longitudinally forwardly and backwardly in said chambercd body portion and be automatically controlled to variable stages of movement therein against fluids of differing degrees of density by a spring supported pressure regulated valve encased within said tubular member longitudinally adjustable therein but 'normally in fixed relation to said tubular member during the longitudinal movement of' the latter.

Il. In a door closer and check, the combination of a substantially cylindrical body portion comprising a series of hollow sections detachably joined, the upper section being closed at its upper end by a detachable cap member having a substantially central opening, the lower section being closed at its lower end by a detachable cap member having means to attach said door closer and check to a suitable support, a tubular reciprocating spring actuated and pressure restrained member adapted to move forwardly and backwardly longitudinally in said chambered body portion and be automatically (ontrolled to variable stages of movement therein against fluids ot' differing degrees of density by a spring supported pressure regulated valve encased within said tubular member longitudinally adjustable therein but normally in fixed relation to said tubular member during the longitudinal movement of the latter.

l. In a door closer and check, the combination of a substantially, cylindrical body portion, comprising a series of hollow sections detachably joined, the upper section being closed at its upper end by a detachable cap member having a substantially central opening, the lower section being closed at its lower end by a detachable cap member having means to attach said door closer and check to a suitable support, a tubular, reciprocating, spring actuated and pressure restrained member adapted to move forwardly and backwardly longitudinally in said c hambered body portion and be automatically controlled to variable stages df movement therein against fluids of differing degrees of density, an enlarged end portion carried by said reciprocating member slidably engaging the inner face of the lower section of said cylindrical body portion and a spring supported pressure regulated valve encased within said reciprocating tubular member longitudinally adjustable theren but normally in fixed relation to said tubular meniber during the longitudinal movement ot' the latter', adapted to be adjusted to effect variable movement of the tubular member.

5. In a door closer and check, the combination of a substantially cylindrical body portion comprising a series of hollow sections detachably joined, the upper section being closed at its upper end by a detachable cap member .having a substantially tentral opening, the lower section being closed at its lower end by a detachable cap member having means to attach said door-closer and check to a suitable support, a tubular, reciprocating, spring actuated and pressure restrained member adapted to move forwardly and backwardly longitudinally in said chambered body portion and be automatically controlled to variable stages otl movement therein by fluids of difl'ering degrees of density, an enlarged end portion carried by said reciprocating member slidably engaging the inner f'a e of the lower section of said cylindrical body portion and provided with a central longitudinal orifice and a spring supported pressure regulated valve encased within said tubular member longitudinally adjustable therein, but normally in fixed relation to said tubular member during the longitudinal movement otl the latter, co-operating with said longitudinal orifice in said end portion adapted to be adjusted to said orifice to etlqect variable movement of the tubular member.

In a door closer and check, the combination of a cylindrical body portion comprising a series of hollow sections detachably joined, the upper section being closed at its upper end by a detachable cap member having a substantially central opening, the lower section being closed at its lower end by a detachable cap member having means to attach said valve to a suitable support, a tubular. reciprocating member adapted to move forwardly and bacliwardly longitudinally in one of said sections and be automatically controlled to variable stages of movement therein, a spring encased in said upper section of said bodyportion adapted to move said reciprocating member downwardly, a fluid resisting material encased in Said lower section of said body portion reacting against the spring actuated downward pressure of' said reciprocating member, a substantially central longitudinal orifice at the end of' said reciprocating member, and a spring supported pressure regulated valve adjustably inclosed within and carried by said reciprocating member but normally in fixed relation to said tubular member durl rection an ing the lon itudinal movement of the latter and adapte to cooperate with said-orifice toprising a series of hollow .sections detachably joined., the upper section being closed at its uppr end by a detachable cap meml ber having a substantially central opening,

the lower section being'closed at its lower end by avlietachable cap member, having means to attach said valve to a suitable lsupport, a tubular, reciprocating member adapted to move forward y and bacltwardly longitudinally in one kof said sections and be automatically controlled to variable stages of movement therein, a spring encased inv said upper section of said body .portion adapted to move said reciprocatingr member downwardly, a fluid resisting ma-y terial encased in said lower section of the said body portion, re-acting against the downward pressure of said reciprocating member, said reciprocating member having an enlarged end portion provided with a central longitudinal aperture, slidably engaging the inner face of the lower section of the said cylindrical body portion and a spring supported pressure regulated Valve adjustably encased-within and carried by said reciprocating memberbut normally in fixed relation to said tubular ,member during the longitudinal movement ofthe latter and adapted' to eii'ect variable degrees of` closure of said longitudinal aperture and thereby effect variable speedsof downward movement of said reciprocating member.

8. In a d oor closer and check, thecombination of a tubular body portion, a tubular piston adapted to reciprocate longitudinally therein, sprin means within said tubular body portion a apted to move said piston in one direction, fluid resistant-means within said tubular body'portion adapted to gradually check the latter stages of said movement of said piston and a spring supported pressure regulated valve encase within said tubular piston longitudinally adjustable therein but normally in fixed relation to said tubular piston during its reciprocating movement adjusted to control the tiow of said fluid resistant means and the .resistance of the latter to the movement piston adapted to reciprocate longitudinallyt.herein, ,a compression spring within said tubular body portion, means mounted on said piston carrying said springl and actuated thereb f to move said piston in one did fluid means `Within said body portion adapted to gradually check the later stages of movement of said piston, a spring supported pressure regulated valve encased within said tubular piston longitudinally adjustable therein but normally in fixed relation to said, tubular piston during its reciprocating movement adjusted to control the flow of said fluid resistant means and its resistance to the movement of said piston. t

10. In a door closer and check, y'the combination of a tubular body portion, a tubular piston, adapted to reciprocate longitudinally therein, a head carried by said piston and adapted to move therewith in slidable contact with the interior of said tubular body portion, a substantially central orifice in said head connecting with said tubular pis. ton, spring means within said tubular body portion carried by said tubular piston adapted to move said piston in one direction, iuid resistant means within said tubular body portion reacting against said piston head adapted to resist the spring actuated its reci rocating movement co-operative with sai orifice to regulate the iiow of the fluid resistant therethrough and thereby regulate the speed of the spring actuated movement of said piston.

11. In a door closer and check, the combination of a tubular body portion, atubular piston adapted to reciprocate longitudinally therein, a head carried by said piston in slidable relation to said body portion, a substantially central longitudinal orifice in said head, connecting with said tubular piston, a compression spring in said tubular body portion, means` carried by said piston engaged by said compression spring to edect movement of said piston in one direction, a spring supported pressure regulated valve encased within said tubular piston longitudinally' adjustable therein but Anormally in fixed relation to said tubular pisd ton during its reciprocating movement adjustable to regulate the degree of opening of said orifice, and fluid means in said body portion adapted to flow through Said orifice and thereby be regulated to c eck the later stages of said movement of said iston.

12. Ina door closer and check, t e combination of a tubular body portion, a tubular piston adapted to reciprocate longitudinally therein, a eadcarri'edby said'piston and adapted to move therewith in slidable contact with thel interior of said tubularfbody portion, aj substantially central longitudinal orifice in said -head connecting with said tubular piston, spring means carried by said lpiston-l adepted to move said piston miso one direction and be compressed by a return movement of said piston, and a spring supported pressure regulated valve encased within said tubular piston longitudinally adjustable therein but normally in fixed relation to said tubular piston during its longitudinal movement co-operating with said orifice adapted to control the speed of the spring act-uated movement of said piston.

13. In a door closer and check, the combination of a tubular body portion, a tubular piston adapted to reciprocate longitudinally therein, a head carriedy by said piston to slidably move in the said tubular body portion, spring means enclosed Within said tubular body portion adapted to move said piston in one direction, a substantially central orifice in said head connecting with said tubular piston, valve means encased Within and carried by said piston longitudinally adjustable therein but normally in fixed relation to said tubular piston during the longitudinal movement of the l-atter co-operating with said orifice, spring means adjustably supporting said valve means relatively to said orifice, and pressure exerting means engaging said valve means to adjust said valve means to and from said orifice.

14. In a door closer and check, the combination of a tubular body portion, a piston adapted to reciprocate longitudinally therein, a compression spring within said tubular body portion, means carried by said piston engaging said spring and adapted to thereby effect movement of said piston in one direction by the expansion of said spring.;

means engaging said'piston adapted to eifect a movement of said'i'piston in a reverse direction against the pressure of said spring, a head carried by said piston in slidable relation to said tubular body portion, a substantially central longitudinal Aorifice in said head connecting with said piston, an adjustable spring supported and spring restrained valve Within and carried by said piston co' operating with said orifice but normally in fixed relation to said piston during the longitudinal movement of the latter and pressure exerting means engaging said valve adapted to adjust said valve to or from said orifice and'tliereby regulate the speed of the spring actuated movement ot said piston.

15. In a door closer and check, the combination of a tubular body portion, a reciprocating piston therein, a spring co-operating with said piston and adapted to effect the movement thereof in one direction. means engaging said piston adapted to effect the movement thereof in lthe opposite direction, and adjustable spring supported pressure regulated valve means' carried by and encased Within said tubular piston longitudi nally adjustable therein but normally in fixed relation to said tubular piston during the longitudinal movement 0f said piston adapted to control the speed of the spring actuated movement of said piston.

16. In a door'closer and check, the combination of a tubular body portion, a tubular piston adapted to reciprocate longitudinally therein, a spring in said tubular body portion adapted to actuate said piston to move in one direct-ion, a head carried by said piston and adapted to slidably move therewith in said tubular body portion, a substantially central orifice in said head, fluid means adapted to receive the impact of said head to effect resistance to the spring actuated movement ot' said piston, a spring supported pressure regulated valve encased Within said tubular piston longitudinally adjustable therein but normally in fixed relation to said tubular piston during the longitudinal movement et the latter adapted to control the flow of said fluid through said orifice and thereby regula-te the speed or" the spring actuated movement of said piston.

17. In a door closer and check, the combination of a tubular body portion, a tubular piston adapted to reciprocate longitudinally therein, a compression spring in said tubular body portion adapted to actuate said piston to move downwardly therein, a head carried by said piston and adapted to slidably move relatively to said body portion, a substantially central orifice in said head, fluid means adapted to be engaged by said head to effect resistance to the downward spring actuated movement of said piston, a spring supported pressure regulated valve encased Within said tubular piston longitudinally adjustable therein but normally in Afixed relation to said tubular piston during the longitudinal movement of the latter adapted to control the flow of said fluid through said orice and thereby regulate the speed of the spring actuated movement of said piston, and lateral apertures above said piston head in said tubular piston adapted to permit the iow ot said fluid resister means therethrough to said tubular body portion.

18. In a door closer and check, the combination of a tubular body portion, a spring actuated, tubular Vpiston adapted to reciprocate therein, a fluid body in said tubular body portion adapted to restrain the spring actuated movement ot said tubular piston, apertures in said tubular piston near one end connecting with said tubular body portion, an aperture in said tubular piston exterior to said body portion adapted to permit the introduction of said fluid resister into said tubular body portion, means to close said exterior aperture and means to efiect the out.- Ward movement` of said ist/on.

Signed at the city o New York in the county of N ew York and State of N ew York this 11th day of June A. D. 1925.

ALtBERT J AMES DE HON. 

